Venezuelan Military Ranks 🇻🇪
Overview
The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana, FANB) are organized into five main service branches, under the overall authority of the President of Venezuela, who serves as Commander-in-Chief, and the Ministry of Defense.
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Army (Ejército Bolivariano): The largest branch, responsible for land-based operations and defense of national territory. It includes infantry, armored, artillery, engineer, and special operations units.
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Navy (Armada Bolivariana): Tasked with maritime defense and coastal security. It operates surface ships, submarines, naval aviation, and a Marine Corps (Infantería de Marina).
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Air Force (Aviación Militar Bolivariana): Focused on air defense, strike operations, and support missions. It includes combat aircraft, transport, training, and air defense units.
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National Guard (Guardia Nacional Bolivariana): A gendarmerie-style force with dual military and policing roles. It handles internal security, border control, counter-narcotics, and riot control.
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Bolivarian Militia (Milicia Bolivariana): A large reserve and auxiliary component, composed of civilian volunteers and retired personnel. It supports the regular forces and is heavily tied to Venezuela’s political structure.
Air Force
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| General en Jefe |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Mayor General |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| General de División |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| General de Brigada |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Coronel |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Teniente Coronel |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Mayor |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Capitán |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Primer Teniente |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Teniente |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Sargento Supervisor |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Sargento Ayudante |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Sargento Mayor de Primera |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sargento Mayor de Segunda |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sargento Mayor de Tercera |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sargento Primero |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Sargento Segundo |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| Cabo Primero |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Cabo Segundo |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Distinguido |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Aviador |
|
OR-1 | Private |
Army
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| General en Jefe |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Mayor General |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| General de División |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| General de Brigada |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Coronel |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Teniente Coronel |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Mayor |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Capitán |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Primer Teniente |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Teniente |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Sargento Supervisor |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Sargento Ayudante |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Sargento Mayor de Primera |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sargento Mayor de Segunda |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sargento Mayor de Tercera |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sargento Primero |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Sargento Segundo |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| Cabo Primero |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Cabo Segundo |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Distinguido |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Soldado raso |
|
OR-1 | Private |
Navy
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almirante en Jefe |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Almirante |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Vicealmirante |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Contralmirante |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Capitán de Navío |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Capitán de Fragata |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Capitán de Corbeta |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Teniente de Navío |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Teniente de Fragata |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Teniente de Corbeta |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Sargento Supervisor |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Sargento Ayudante |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Sargento Mayor de Primera |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sargento Mayor de Segunda |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sargento Mayor de Tercera |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sargento Primero |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Sargento Segundo |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| Cabo Primero |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Cabo Segundo |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Distinguido |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Marinero |
|
OR-1 | Private |